Earlier findings by Dr Ferreira published in The Lancet identified that a risk factor for asthma was a genetic variant in the IL-6 receptor, which is activated by IL-6 causing inflammation in the airways.

His findings also suggested that an antibody treatment which blocks that receptor, already in use for rheumatoid arthritis, could be an effective treatment for asthma.

“Our laboratory tests confirmed that both house dust mite and cockroach allergens increased the production of IL-6,” Associate Professor Phipps said.

“However, the cockroach allergen also increased production of the IL-6 receptor, which led to the more severe neutrophilic asthma.

“When we used the rheumatoid arthritis antibody treatment to block the receptor, the mice exposed to the cockroach allergen responded very well, whereas the mice exposed to house dust mite got worse.

“These findings suggest that different treatment options are necessary for different types of asthma.”

Following the findings of Associate Professor Phipps’ laboratory tests, Dr Ferreira is now conducting clinical trials, treating patients who have increased IL-6 receptor levels with the rheumatoid arthritis antibody treatment.